Stand At The Edge Of Geologic Time

Transport yourself to Rocky Mountain National Park, with all its sights and sounds, in this immersive geology lesson.

Published On July 20, 2016

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Listen to Oregon State University professor Eric Kirby describe the geologic history of Rocky Mountain National Park in this guided experience.

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Listen to Oregon State University professor Eric Kirby describe the geologic history of Rocky Mountain National Park in this guided experience. Move your phone or swipe your finger to view all of the 360° scene.

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Click and drag to move through the scene as you listen to a continuous looping soundscape recorded in Rocky Mountain National Park.

VR Mode

To view the virtual reality version of this story, visit this page on your phone using a Google Cardboard.

360° Mode

Move your phone or swipe your finger to view all of the 360° scene as you listen to a continuous looping soundscape recorded in Rocky Mountain National Park.

VR Mode

Insert your phone into a Google Cardboard. Look around in every direction for the full experience.

Learn more about the geologic history of Rocky Mountain National Park in a virtual reality trip through geologic time with Oregon State University professor of geology Eric Kirby.

The birds heard in this recording include:

    For more information, visit the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website, where you will find online bird guides, free bird identification apps and access to the world’s largest collection of animal sounds.

    Image and soundscape credits

    Stand At The Edge Of Geologic Time

    Transport yourself to Rocky Mountain National Park, with all its sights and sounds, in this immersive geology lesson.

    Six immersive soundscapes from Rocky Mountain National Park

    When you enter the soundscape, swipe or click and drag to view the entirety of a scene.

    1. Glacier Gorge

    2. Moraine Park

    more soundscapes below ▾

    3. Dream Lake

    4. Hollowell Park

    5. Longs Peak

    6. Fern Lake

    Project Credits

    This story was reported and produced by Wes Lindamood and edited by Christopher Joyce. Special thanks to Oregon State University professor of geology Eric Kirby for his time and expertise.

    Design and development: Tyler Fisher, Wes Lindamood and Brittany Mayes.

    Field recordings and audio production: Bill McQuay, Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

    This site is a product/service of NPR. Use is governed by NPR's terms of use and privacy policy.

    Image Credits

    All 360° images are composites of multiple images. The “stitching” process includes light photographic manipulation in order to form a clear image.


    A view of Hallett Peak from Dream Lake (David Al-Ibrahim for NPR)

    A view of Hallett Peak from Emerald Lake (David Al-Ibrahim for NPR)

    Standing at the summit of Chiefs Head Peak (pix/360cities.net via Getty Images)

    A view of Longs Peak from the Iron Gates of Mount Meeker (William l/360cities.net via Getty Images)

    Standing at The Trough of Longs Peak (William l/360cities.net via Getty Images)

    Looking up at Longs Peak from Chasm Lake (William l/360cities.net via Getty Images)

    A view of Notchtop Mountain, Little Matterhorn and The Gable from Fern Lake (David Al-Ibrahim for NPR)

    Looking out over Gem Lake to Estes Park (William l/360cities.net via Getty Images)

    The Dawn Chorus at Hollowell Park (David Al-Ibrahim for NPR)

    The glacial valley of Moraine Park (David Al-Ibrahim for NPR)

    Glacier Gorge, Hallett Peak and Longs Peak from Emerald Lake Trail (David Al-Ibrahim for NPR)